Tire.



J. M. BENHAM & G. W. SLATER.

IRE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1910.

. Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

K Joseph Menhcnm. 88., e or e VMS/atar.

' 1,oos,ess.

@N9-PPE JOSEPH M. BENI-IAM AND GEORGE W. SLATER, OE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

TIRE.

Application filed June 7, 1910. Serial No. 565,492.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1a, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH M. BENHAM and -GEORGE W. SLATER, citizens ofthe United S-tates, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda andState of California,

'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tires, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawing.

This invention relates to inflatable tires especially adapted for use inconnection with motor vehicles and the principal object of the same isto provide a tire in which the inflatable inner tube is protected'frompunc tures, and in which the protectiver means are cushioned so thatexpansion and contraction of the same is permitted.

In carrying out the objects of the invention generally stated above itwill be understood, of course, that the essential features thereof arenecessarily susceptible of changes in details and structuralarrangements, one preferred V'and practical embodiment of which is showninthe accompanying drawings, wherein l Figure 1 is a View in sideelevation of the improved tire. Fig 2 is a transverse sectional viewtaken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinalsectional view taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, it will be seen thatthe improved tire is composed of acasing 1 that is preferablyoval-shaped in cross-section and formed of alternating layers of rubberand fabric which are vulcanized together. An inflatable. inner tube 2 isseated in the base of the casing. The outer portion of the casing 1 isprovided with a filling 3 of granulated cork and rubber. Parallel tubes4 are arranged within the filling liadjacent the inflatable tube 2, eachtube 4 being provided withv a spiral spring 5 that normally retains thetubes 4 expanded. Another and preferably larger tube 6 is arrangedJ inthe filling 3, said tube being located adjacent the outer portion ofsaidlling and formed of fabric and rubber. Said tube 6 ismade heavy sothat it will resist a collapsing pressure. A crescent shaped protectivestrip 7 which is also formed of rubber andfabric is interposed betweensaid filling and the inner surface of the outer end of 'casing 1.Externally, casing 1 is provided with a crescent shaped sheath 8 that isformed of rubber and fabric,.and said sheath is surmounted by the tread9 that is heavy and formed of rubber and fabric. Lugs 10 have enlargedheads 11 embedded in the base of casing 1, said lugs projectinglaterally fromy said casing and being connected toaJ wheel felly by thescrewv 12 or other convenient types of detachable fasteners. The usualinflating nipple 13 extends through the base of casing land communicateswith inflatable tube 2."

It Will be seen from the foregoing the in'- ner tube 2 is thoroughlyprotected from punctures by the tread, sheath, filling and the strip 7and also thatl the tubes ,4 and 6- in the filling, in addition tocushioning the tire, also provides means whereby packing of the fillingis prevented owing to the 'movement imparted to said filling'by` theexpansion and contraction of said tubes incidental to the contact ofthetire with the roadway. What we claim as our invention is A tirecomprising a casing, an inflatable vtube in the base thereof, a granularfilling in said casing, parallel tubes in said filling,

